“Ship ho!” The call came down from the crow’s nest. “On the port quarter!” Serenity looked up the main mast then turned to the rear of the ship. “Cap’n! It’s Royal Navy!”
“Fuck,” Serenity murmured. “Bring my telescope!” she barked at her first mate.
“Telescope!” the first mate echoed. A moment later, the cabin boy hurried up the deck, telescope in hand. With a trained hand and eye, the captain opened and positioned the spyglass. She found the ship in moments and then scanned upward to the flags.
“Fuck.” Underneath the usual Royal Navy colors flew a personal crest. A golden anchor on black. “Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.” Serenity collapsed the scope and hurried down to the quarter deck to take control of the wheel. “Stash the cargo! All hands on deck! Full sails!”
“Full sails!” the first mate bellowed. “Stash the cargo!” He turned to the captain. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s Melromarc.”
“What are you talking about?”
“It’s Rear Admiral Hraesvelgr Melromarc. He’s a prodigy in the navy and a menace on the seas. He has a reputation for bringing in the most notorious pirates.”
“You didn’t think this was worth passing along?” Irritation showed on the first mate’s face.
Serenity smiled at him confidently. “Of course not. I have a reputation as well.” She winked and turned away, returning her focus to the matter at hand. “He hasn’t caught us yet, Caspian. A little more speed and we’ll be home before he can reach us.” As she finished her statement, the last sail unfurled with a thwump. The wind gusted and the ship gained speed. Serenity allowed herself a triumphant smirk. There was no way the navy brat would catch them now.
“Cap’n, they’re gaining on us!”
“What?” Serenity whipped around, her pink hair flying into her face. The ship stalking them was distinctly closer. “How is he doing that?” She gnashed her teeth. “Steady as she goes!” she bellowed then to herself, “We can still make it.” More of the crew began to cry out as they saw the ship approach. Panic was starting to set in. “Steady. Steady…”
“Captain!” Caspian returned to her side. “Should we prepare to be boarded?” The ship was almost level with their stern.
“Hard to starboard!” The captain turned the wheel as hard and as fast as she could. There was a flurry of motion on deck as her crew hurried to carry out her orders.
“Prepare to board!” carried across the water. He’s crazy, she thought, did he not see them turning? Half his men would fall in the water trying to board them.
A shudder ran through the ship. They had been rammed as they turned. Serenity held onto the wheel to prevent herself from falling. Caspian held her.
“Swordsmen!” Caspian shouted. “To me!” He let go of his captain and drew his sword. Joined by four of the crew, he raced to meet the five men who had boarded the Triton’s Lament. The middle man stepped up to meet him. His brown hair stuck out from his admiral’s cap and stubble was visible on his angular jaw. He wore his admiral’s jacket unbuttoned over his white naval shirt. “Rear Admiral Hraesvelgr Melromarc I presume.”
“You are correct. I am Rear Admiral Melromarc of the Royal Navy. Captain Tides, I order you to lay down your arms and surrender.”
Caspian smirked. “Okay. I’ll lay down my arms.” He put his left arm in the air as he slowly lay his sword on the deck of the ship. “But,” he returned to an upright position, grinning broadly, “I’m not Captain Tides.”
The first mate stepped to the side. Serenity moved forward, dual rapiers drawn. “Captain Serenity Tides, at your service. Pity we aren’t meeting under better circumstances.” She lunged. Melromarc barely had time to block her attack. He was hesitating. Why was he hesitating? He’d seen beautiful women before. He’d seen strong women before. He’d even fought strong beautiful women before. Why was just seeing this pirate messing with his head?
He took in her appearance as they fought, finding more interesting details the more he looked. Her pink hair flowed freely, soft curls at the ends. Two heart shaped buns sat just in front of the fin-like crest crowning the top of her head. She had pointed ears like an elf and emerald green eyes with heart shaped pupils. Her large tail moved like a cat’s behind her. She moved with the agility of a fox. “It’s a shame I’m going to arrest you, you’re quite beautiful,” Melromarc said, trying to distract her.
“Nice try, but I’m the queen of banter. I won’t be distracted so easily.” She pushed him back to the edge of the ship. Hraesvelgr moved to strike overhead. When Serenity moved to meet his blow, he kicked her in the abdomen, knocking the wind out of her and causing her to stumble back.
“Has no one ever taught you to take a compliment?” He moved forward, planning to take advantage of her temporary weakness.
“Not from men like you,” she snarled, swinging her left sword at his calf. She felt the blade meet flesh and heard the satisfactory sound of her opponent's wince. Unfortunately, he parried before she was able to cut too deeply. They continued in this manner, evenly pitted against each other, until a lesser pair bumped into them at the top of the stairs. The crewman fell into Melromarc’s back, pushing him into Serenity, who lost her balance and landed hard on the main deck. The admiral landed on top of her.
“Your swordsmanship isn’t bad,” Hraesvelgr commented, raising himself to his hands. Both of them were breathing hard from the duel. Their swords were scattered and forgotten.
“That’s me: a badass with a nice ass.”
Melromarc smiled. “You’re one sassy sailor.” Serenity winked and blew him a kiss. Pink bubbles escaped her lips and popped on his face. “Bu… Bubbles?” His face changed to confusion as he felt himself slowing for no reason he could understand.
“Bubbles,” the pirate confirmed. She whipped her tail around, knocking him to the ground and freeing herself. She leapt to her feet and grabbed the sword nearest her - his. She held it to his throat as he rose to his knees. He held his arms up in surrender. “How does it feel to be beaten by bubbles?”
“I’ll accept defeat from the queen of the seas,” he countered. “You’re a worthy opponent, Tides.”
“As are you, Melromarc. However, it’s clear the better sailor won.” The taunting smile fell from her face. “Tell your men to stand down and return to your ship or I’ll flay you from your nose to your navel.”
“Stand down, men!” Hraesvelgr called to his crew. “Return to the ship!” His crews’ faces fell when they saw their leader kneeling in defeat. Three of the four men laid down their arms and quickly hurried to the stern. The last man dropped his sword and fumbled with the pistol he carried. The sound of a gunshot seemed to echo across the water. While everyone else froze, Melromarc jumped into action. “Lookout!” He pushed Serenity out of the way just in time to take the bullet meant for her. She caught him as he fell. He watched her full, pale pink lips form the words “You’re an idiot” as darkness closed in around him.
“Get those men off my ship!” Serenity bellowed, all signs of banter and teasing gone. Her crew surrounded the remaining men and threw them over the sides to the water far below. The wind gusted, filling the sails and guiding the ship to its final destination.
The crew of the Minerva watched in silence as their enemies and leader disappeared into thin air.
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